Whatever the reason or the stage of life you're in, many communities in Southeast Missouri offer countless volunteer opportunities. Here's a look at some options in your community.

__The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross__ has a variety of volunteer positions in its direct services, external services and support services division.

"In direct services, [we need volunteers to] prepare and serve food, drive emergency response vehicles, help reunite families and do client casework," says Annah Rasul, volunteer services manager at the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Direct services volunteers work directly with victims of disasters.

"One of our biggest disasters this past winter has been house fires," says Rasul. "We actually had seven house fires in one day."

In the external services division, volunteers work in the field of communication.

"[Our] public affairs teams help with mass media [during and after] a disaster by doing on-camera television and newspaper interviews, and speaking at various [events and functions]," says Rasul. "We also have volunteer government liaisons who align with the government and make sure that the lines of communication are clear between the Red Cross and the government."

Support services is the third leg of disaster relief where the American Red Cross needs volunteers.

"[These volunteers] set up and break down shelters, do administration work, teach disaster training classes and work in our warehouse," says Rasul.

American Red Cross volunteers can be any age and no level of education is required.

"If the volunteer is under 18, we just need to get parent release forms signed," says Rasul.

Volunteers can work any days or hours they choose.

"Disasters hit at all times, not just during the [work]day," says Rasul.

The American Red Cross recently implemented a virtual volunteer plan.

"You can go online and get training and become a virtual volunteer doing things such as data entry if a Red Cross chapter is difficult for you to get to," says Rasul.

The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross covers 11 Southeast Missouri counties and volunteers are needed in all areas.

In addition to disaster relief services, the Red Cross also needs volunteers in the division of blood services, health and safety, and service to the armed forces.

If you are interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross, call 573-335-9471 or go to www.redcross.org.

Area senior centers need volunteers for everything from helping to prepare and deliver meals to homebound seniors to helping with the daily meals for their in-house clients.

"The need for volunteers is ever growing as our population is aging at such a rapid rate," says Susan McClanahan, administrator of the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. "Meal delivery is at an all-time high and the need for volunteers is greater now more than ever."

For the delivered meals, the center needs a driver and a runner on each route.

"We provide the vans and the gasoline," says McClanahan.

In the kitchen, volunteers help cup, lid and count out the food items that are to be delivered that a day. The center's staff cooks prepare the food items; then volunteers assist by putting that food into the containers and counting it out by the route to be delivered.

"We are very short of volunteers in both areas," says McClanahan. "Currently, we are using 20 volunteers each day we are open, Monday through Friday."

Volunteers for the Cape Senior Center can have a very flexible schedule.

"Volunteers do not have to commit to a set schedule or a certain day; it is very flexible and the volunteers can 'work' as little or as much as they would like. The time commitment is about two hours total for meal delivery, and a little more for the kitchen helpers," says McClanahan.

Few qualifications are needed to be a senior center volunteer.

"Volunteers in the kitchen must be at lease 13 years of age, which is great for summer helpers," says McClanahan. "[Volunteers need to be able to] stand during the time the food is being [put on trays and in cups] and be available during the morning hours Monday through Friday."

A special driver's license is not needed to be a meal driver.

"For meal delivery, if they drive, volunteers must have a valid driver's license. A CDL is not required because our vans are regular sized minivans. [Drivers need to] be available during the morning hours. To be a runner, they must be able to walk from the van to the meal recipient's door, and be available morning hours, Monday through Friday. Remember, they can volunteer as little as or much as they would like; there is no required time or days," says McClanahan.

Other volunteer opportunities at the Cape Senior Center include working in the thrift store inside the center, serving as a host/hostess to in-house clients who come to eat, pouring beverages for diners, helping with bingo and other social activities, as well as helping with paperwork and other clerical jobs.

"We would love to talk to anyone who might have a little time to give back to the community," says McClanahan. "Research shows that people who volunteer live longer and feel better about themselves! It is so healthy to be around other people and contribute to society and give to others. So many times you think you are going to help others, but it winds up helping the volunteer just as much."

People interested in volunteering for the Cape Senior Center should stop by the center at 921 N. Clark St. any weekday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

"We would be happy to show them around and talk to them about volunteer opportunities. Many new volunteers, especially those who will be driving, like to ride along a time or two to learn the route before starting out on their own," says McClanahan.

In addition to Cape Girardeau, area senior center are also in Scott City, Chaffee, Jackson, Marble Hill, Perryville, Ste. Genevieve and Sikeston, Mo.

If doing volunteer work that involves helping children sounds appealing, the __United Way of Southeast Missouri is always in need of volunteers for the Read to Succeed program.__

Read to Succeed is a one-on-one reading acceleration program offered in all five Cape public elementary schools," says Monique Johnson, program director of Read to Succeed. "Volunteers go into one of the schools for 30 minutes once a week during the school year and listen to a student read. They help with corrections and document the student's progress. They work with students who are right on the cusp of reading." Volunteers are provided with training for the program.

"They just need to be proficient readers [themselves] and enjoy working with kids," says Johnson.

A one-page no-cost criminal abuse and neglect background check is required by the school district in order to work with students in schools.

"There is a Read to Succeed coordinator at each [participating] school," says Johnson. The coordinator acts as a liaison between the United Way, the volunteers and the students, and is available to answer any questions about the program.

The Jackson Public School District has a similar program in its elementary schools, and volunteers can also help out with summer reading programs at both the Cape Girardeau and Jackson public libraries.

Interested volunteers may call Monique Johnson at the United Way of Southeast Missouri at 573-334-9634, or contact the Read to Succeed coordinator at any of the participating schools.

__Area parks and recreation departments__ can always use volunteers to help with their many programs and events."The use of volunteers is a great resource for the Parks and Recreation Department, especially during the spring when we are trying to get ready for our very busy season," says Penny Williams, recreation division manager for the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

Two spring events that require large numbers of volunteers include Friends of the Park/Great Cape Cleanup on April 26 and the Steamboat Triathlon on April 27.

"Our 'Play Cape' magazine comes out three times a year. The next one is scheduled to come out the last week of April and there are so many volunteer opportunities listed in the guide as well as special projects going on all the time," says Williams. "Volunteering is a wonderful way to support your community, and Cape is such an exceptional place to live, work and play! It takes everyone playing their part to make it what it is."

To volunteer for any Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation activity, call 573-339-6340 or 573-339-6342, or contact the parks and recreation department in your own community.